The properties
of condensed matter, solids such as the minerals that make up the
planets, and liquids, depend critically on how atoms are arranged.
Studies that answer the question “where are the atoms?” allow us to
understand, predict and modify the physical and chemical properties of
materials, including minerals.Studies that allow us to study how the atomic arrangements change
when we change environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature,
pressure etc., are especially valuable for interpreting physical
measurements we make on materials we measure at the Earth and planetary
surface, and those materials we presume exist in the Earth and planetary
interiors.Think about the differences between graphite and diamond: both
materials are composed entirely of carbon and yet they have very
different properties and uses.Graphite is a black conductor and used for lubrication.Diamond is an insulator, the hardest known substance and is used
as an abrasive.For two minerals with the same chemical composition these
differences are remarkable, and reflect the drastic differences in
atomic arrangement of the carbons in their crystal structures.Over 20 noble prizes related to the endeavor of finding “where
the atoms are” in materials as diverse as DNA and the minerals that
make up rocks are testimony to the enduring power and importance of the
technique we term crystallography - the study of atomic arrangements.
We’ll explore how crystallographic information is obtained at some of
the world's most powerful x-ray sources, under operating conditions, and
how this information is used.

Professor Parise has been at Stony Brook since
1989, and has published over 350 papers in peer-reviewed journals and
holds 4 patents.His research focuses on the structure and properties of materials
under their operating conditions.This involves considerable work at high pressures and
temperatures.He was recognized with the 2008 President of Stony Brook and the
SUNY Chancellor’s award for excellence in scholarly and creative
activities and is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of
Geosciences.He directs the Joint Photon Sciences Institute, which promotes
development of techniques to enhance collaboration between Stony Brook
and Brookhaven's National Synchrotron Light Source.